Recordings

Best Classic Bands offers smart, informed and unbiased assessments of the latest rock album releases and reissues to offer readers guidance on what sounds they might enjoy.

A New David Bowie Box Chronicles the Creation of ‘Ziggy Stardust’: Review

Included on the five CDs are 67 songs, among them demo, rehearsal and alternate mixes.

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Impassioned Music from Rock Pioneer Little Richard: ‘Right Now!’

The album, which he recorded in 1973, comes close to matching the impassioned music of his early days.

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Dr. John: An Anthology Focuses on His Peak Years

The 26-track, Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974, also includes key album tracks

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An Anthology from the Byrds’ Gene Clark: Review

Original compositions dominate the career-spanning set, which includes contributions from Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons.

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New Album Captures the Doors Live in Sweden: Review

The 1968 program draws material from their first four studio albums.

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A New Riders of the Purple Sage Concert Set from 1976: Review

The one-time Grateful Dead country-rock spinoff dipped into their earliest material and choice covers for this live show.

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A Rollicking Live Album from Willie Nile: Review

His instantly recognizable voice conveys urgency throughout the set, which features his guitar and piano work and a tightly knit backup trio.

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‘New Guitars in Town,’ a Power Pop Anthology, Features Noteworthy Obscurities: Review

In addition to well-known artists like Elvis Costello and Squeeze, the collection features many artists about whom nothing is known.

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The Rolling Stones Rock the Wiltern in 2002: Review

The wide-ranging 20-song program features such often-played numbers as “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” but also includes a handful of obscurities

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Dion Teams with Female Artists on ‘Girl Friends’: Review

Joined by guests like Carlene Carter, Shemekia Copeland and Rory Block, the 84-year-old singer proves he can still make great music.

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